Finger-tip toilet flush interrupting device

ABSTRACT

A finger-tip access to a water saving retrofiable or original equipped device having a free traveling flexible cord routed from a toilet holding tank to inside non-frictional orifices located at strategic points on major toilet components, able to allow free water flow for full flushes or able to limit flow for partial flushes and stop or interrupt water flow for unusual or emergency functional operations such as toilet bowl cleaning, preventing a bowl overflow, slowing or stopping a flapper valve leak, or help prevent a drowning from occurring simply by pulling a cord.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toilet flush systems that are in wide use andcharacterized by a floating flapper valve and a float operated watersupply valve.

In the flushing and refill process, a manually operated lever on theholding tank opens a flapper value in the bottom of the tank. Thisreleases the water from the tank into the toilet bowl, displacing thecontents of the bowl through an air lock, or “P” trap and into the sewersystem. After the tank has emptied from the flush, the flapper valveautomatically closes, allowing a fresh supply of water to be retained bythe tank. Common toilet designs use a float to control the fresh watersupply valve. This assembly is located inside the tank. Upon flushing,the float lowers with the water level to a down position causing thewater supply valve to open, filling the empty tank and bowlsimultaneously.

In typical toilet designs, approximately twenty percent of the freshwater from the water supply valve is delivered to the overflow pipethrough a tube into the toilet bowl. The remaining eighty percent isdischarged directly into the tank. As the tank fills, the float riseswith the water to a preset level to an up position causing the watersupply valve to close. This stops the filling of both the tank and thebowl.

Toilets are normally designed so that a more than adequate amount ofwater is delivered to the bowl at each flush to fully flush out thecontents thereof, solid or liquid. A considerable amount of water can besaved by individually adjusting the minimum amount of flush water usedfor a partial flush containing liquids only. Some known devices addressthis issue but suffer one primary disadvantage; their control isextremely limited. One type of control addresses the closing of theflapper valve; other types address the closing of the float controlledwater supply valve. At the present time, there is no method ofinterrupting both flushing and filling operations simultaneously, incase of an emergency situation.

Another problem in an emergency situation is getting access to theplumbing water stop valve usually located outside or below the toilettank. It is typically very difficult to reach and is usually eitherseized (stuck open) or cannot be closed without extraordinary effort. Onmany toilets the water stop is not installed. When this occurs, thetoilet tank lid must be removed and the water valve must be closedinside the tank. In addition, when using this method, in order for thevalve in the tank to remain closed, the operator must continue to holdthe float or else the valve reopens and refilling resumes.

Interrupting and closing the flapper valve does stop water flow from thetank to the toilet bowl which works fine for partial flushes and toiletbowl cleaning. It does not address emergency situations such as bowloverflows since water will continue into the overflow pipe and into thebowl if the water supply valve is not in a closed position. The closingof the water supply valve insures complete water stoppage for short orprolong occurrences each time the cord's pull knob is actuated.

Shutting off the water stop valve or accessing the automatic refillmechanism is only available if the operator is aware of them. Often itis the case that individuals do not possess this knowledge. Heretofore,neither the toilet manufacturers nor the product distributors have madeefforts to make this information known.

In the past, the common widespread usage of common toilets was due tothe widespread availability of water. However, water in some areas ofthe world is becoming not so available. Also, the fact that thepopulation is ever increasing creates an even greater demand for water.Many communities are restricting the maximum allowable water to be usedwithin toilets.

Some communities are now even further giving incentives for users toincorporate some form of water save mechanism within their toilets. Theamount of water that is used in a conventional toilet is actually morethan is required to effectively remove human waste. It has been foundthat in most instances the amount of water could be decreased as much asfifty percent and still adequate removal of the waste will occur.

Prior art toilets are characterized in lacking structural flexibilityfor adjusting the discharge amount of the flush water therein so thatevery time when the flush device is actuated, a tankful of water isdischarged totally, regardless whether such a large amount of water isneeded. This causes a waste of water source, which is uneconomical anddetrimental to the environment.

As mentioned, a problem often encountered is toilet bowl overflow. It isnot uncommon for the waste lines which drain the bowl of a conventionaltoilet to become clogged or otherwise impassable due to waste or someforeign object blocking or slowing the passage. In conventional toilets,once the flush cycle is commenced, all the water in the tank will emptyinto the bowl whether the bowl can accept it or not.

The operator of the toilet may not notice the line stoppage until afterflushing. If the bowl is unable to drain, the water from the tank fillsthe bowl and then overflows onto the floor. This overflow can causeextensive damage to the flooring as well as leaving the operator with anunsightly mess to clean.

Several water saving methods are in current use to conserve water duringthe toilet flushing operation. One such method is to place a filledwater bag or a solid object, such as a brick, in the water tank todisplace an equivalent volume of water to thus reduce the volume ofwater consumed with each flushing.

In summary, the design of the prior art apparatuses with respect to thedesign of the instant invention are relatively complicated, requiremodification of the existing hardware and in some cases, the toilet tankitself requires modification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems discussed above by providing afinger-tip access to a water saving retrofiable or original equippeddevice having a free traveling flexible cord routed from a toiletholding tank to inside non-frictional orifices located at strategicpoints on major toilet components, able to allow free water flow forfull flushes or able to limit flow for partial flushes and stop orinterrupt water flow for unusual or emergency functional operations suchas toilet bowl cleaning, preventing a bowl overflow, slowing or stoppinga flapper valve leak, or help prevent a drowning from occurring simplyby pulling a cord.

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the prior artapparatuses described above, several objects and advantages of thepresent invention are:

(a) to provide the usual means of flushing a toilet;

(b) to provide a means of creating a partial flush;

(c) to provide a means to ease toilet bowl cleaning;

(d) to provide a means to prevent toilet bowl overflow;

(e) to provide a means of slowing or stopping flapper valve leakage;

(f) to provide finger tip access to a supply water stop;

(g) to provide a means of automatically resetting the flapper valvezapper whenever the toilet flush handle has been actuated;

(h) to provide a means of accomplishing all the above with a pull of acord attached to the flush handle of a toilet, or having the cord strungover the outside wall of a toilet.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the operating hardware that is found in most standardtoilets, and the location of the operating cord, a front view withouttoilet tank walls.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a flapper valve zapper attached to anoverflow pipe positioned above the flapper value.

FIG. 3 shows a top, side, and front view of a flapper zapper.

FIG. 4 shows a top and side view of one of the locations where the cordwill be attached to the water supply valve float.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a top view of two diverters used to divert the cordfrom the flapper zapper to the float diverters that are attached to theoverflow pipe.

FIG. 6A to 6C shows a side view of three locations of attaching orthreading a cord in a loose and free sliding mode on a water supplyvalve float.

FIG. 7A shows a top view of a cord with no flattened cord area threadedthrough the flush handle in a loose and free sliding mode.

FIGS. 7B and 7C show two cords with flattened cord areas in a loose andfree sliding mode being protected by spacers or shims placed around thetank top or lid.

FIG. 7D shows a blown-up view of a flattened cord area which will insurea positive locked position for the sliding cord-lock when felt necessaryfor complete water stoppage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 iscomprised of four major elements: a flapper zapper 17, a cord diverter24, a sliding cord-lock 13, and a flexible cord 19. The device isdesigned to be installed in a toilet water tank 39 that incorporates aflapper valve 16, an overflow pipe 29, a water fill valve 22, and aflush chain 15, that is controlled through a flush arm 14, which isconnected to the flush handle 11, of the toilet. As shown in FIG. 1, thedevice also has a bowl refill adjuster 25, a level adjuster clip 26, anda supply inlet 27, with an adjustable height 30.

All major elements of the device may be constructed of plastic or anon-corrosive metal, with plastic preferred. The flapper zapper 17,consists of an elongated structure which fits around the over flow pipe29 that includes a means for allowing it to be held in place on theoverflow pipe at the flapper valve pivot arms 18. As best shown in FIG.2, the flapper zapper 17, is comprised of a closed oval elongatedstructure that includes a means for allowing it to move or pivot freelywith a pull of the cord 19, or pushed up by the flapper valve 16, whenflushing occurs, which is also attached to the pivot arms 18, of theoverflow pipe 29. As shown in FIG. 3, flapper zapper 17 also may includeflexible legs 34 and a zapper legs orifice 36. As shown in FIG. 4, thefloat 21 has a float water supply orifice 25.

State of the art flush flapper valves are characterized by an integralfloat chamber by which they are buoyant in order to remain elevated oncelifted off the toilet bowl valve seat 45, until the water level subsidesin the flush tank 39. This is an automatic function inherent in theoperation of state of the art toilets, by means of a flexible lanyard ora loosely linked chain 15, attached to chain orifice 32 to initiallylift the flapper valve 16. The lanyard or chain 15, requires no guide,being lifted by a manually operated flush arm 14. The toilet mechanismthus far described is standard.

The flapper valve 16, of the preferred embodiment is show in FIGS. 1 and2, and is comprised of a large diameter body of rubber or the like,having a downwardly faced planar sealing face to engage on the upwardlyfaced toilet bowl valve seat 45, with the lift chain 15 coupled to theflapper valve 16, through a loop or suitable connector, there being adepending peripheral ball within the working component is the cord, aflexible appendage made of material such as polyethylene, polypropylene,vinyl, nylon, rubber, various plasticized impregnated or laminatedfibrous materials and etc. The slide cord-lock 13, is also made ofsimilar materials.

The cord is attached to an orifice 33, at the flapper zapper 17, fromwhere it is routed up and through diverter 24, held by hose clamp 23,through the orifice 20 on float 21 (see also FIG. 4) shown at FIG. 1, oras seen at 18A and 24B in FIG. 5 which is attached to the upper part ofthe overflow pipe 29. From the diverter 5A and 5B, having diverter posts37 and cord protector 38 and diverter leaf spring 40 it is routed to thefloat 21, as seen in FIG. 1, located on the upper part of the water fillvalve 22. The float 21, shown in FIG. 6, shows three potential locationsof attaching cord 19, at A42, at B20, and C44, having nylon cable tie 43in a loose and free sliding mode, at the discretion on the manufactureror the installer.

In the leaving the float 21, and prior to entering the orifice on flusharm 14, and flush handle 11, a cord stop 31, is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.7, that is installed on cord 19, which prevents an over-pull by thetoilet operator which could damage the water saving device 10, and makeit inoperable. The end of cord 19, is routed through the orifice in theflush arm 14, and protrudes past the flush handle 11, with an amplelength of cord 19, that allows attaching the sliding cord-lock 13, andthe cords pull knob 12. When pushed into the flush handle 11, which isthe reset position, the cord 19 does not interfere with the operation ofa normal flush of a toilet. Same holds true if cord is routed over theside of the tank as shown in FIG. 7 utilizing tank lip shims 41 andflattened cord area 46.

When cord 19 is pulled out of the flush handle 11, to comply withvarious operations the operator might be selecting, the slidingcord-lock 13, can be activated and slid into the flatten cord area for amore positive locking position to keep cord 19, from resetting orretreating back into the flush handle 11, which is the normal positionof the cord 19, if routed over the side of the tank between the shimmedtank and lid.

From the description above, a number of advantages of the device becomeevident by the added versatility:

(a) The device allows the operator of a common toilet to cause a fullflush.

(b) Will permit the average user to provide a water saving mini orpartial flush.

(c) Allows one to flush and empty a toilet bowl for toilet bowlcleaning.

(d) Permits the user to have finger-tip access to a means of shuttingwater flow from the water supply valve, done right on the toilet tank.

(e) Allows the operator to prevent a toilet bowl overflow whenever atoilet or sewer line becomes plugged or stopped up.

(f) The user will be able to pull and lock the cord on the flush handleand add additional pressure to the top of the flapper valve to eitherstop or slow the water leak thereby saving precious water, same holdstrue if cord is routed over and out the side of the toilet tank.

(g) An inherent automatic result of flushing with this device installedis that the flapper zapper always gets reset with the next flush anddoes not interfere with future flush operations.

The manner of using a toilet with this device installed is identical tosome of the widely known common toilets in use today. Referring to FIG.1, a front view of the controlling device is shown of the toilet tank39, with walls cut away to show the device. To initiate a full flush,the user makes sure that the cord 19, is pushed in or in a resetposition on the flush handle, and the same holds true if cord is routedout and over the side of the toilet tank as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, & 7C.The toilet will now operate normal and the user need only to depressflush handle 11, to cause flush arm 14, to lift chain 15, which liftsflapper valve 16, making it become buoyant and empties the water storedin the toilet tank 39, allowing a full flush to take place.

To initiate a partial flush, one first depresses the flush handle 11, asif causing a full flush but immediately interrupts the flush by pullingthe cord's pull knob 12 as seen at FIG. 7A, B, or 7C. This stops waterflow to and from the toilet tank 39. Pulling the cord's pull knob liftsfloat 21, which stops water flow to tank 39, and forces the flapperzapper 17, to push and close the flapper valve 16, as seen in FIG. 1,which stops water from getting into the toilet bowl drain 28, and intothe toilet bowl.

As to how soon should the operator pull the cord's pull knob 12, afterdepressing the flush handle 11, to cause a partial flush is determinedby the user visually observing the drop in the toilet bowl water leveland making a decision as to what makes for a satisfactory elimination ofliquid waste matter.

Pushing in or resetting the cord's pull knob 12, allows the float 21, tomove freely to replenish the tank and bowl with water to a normal leveland allow the flapper zapper 17, to relax against the closed flappervalve 16. The next flush caused by a user will automatically reset theflapper zapper 17.

To initiate toilet bowl cleaning, the same action is taken by theoperator as in a partial flush. The only difference is allowing the bowlwater level to drop to the bottom of the bowl and then pulling cord pullknob 12A, B, or C, and locking the cord 19 with sliding cord-lock 13.Once cleaning is accomplished, the sliding cord-lock is reset and thepull knob 12 and cord 19 is pushed into a reset position allowing tank39, and bowl to come back to normal. A full flush may be necessary toremove the cleaning solutions and etc.

A toilet bowl overflow can be prevented after flushing by pulling thecord pull knob 12A, B, or C which stops water flow to the toilet bowland to the toilet tank 39, preventing extensive damage to the flooringas well as leaving the operator with an unsightly mess to clean.

There will come a time that an old or warn-out flapper valve will startleaking and for various reasons can not be replaced soon enough. To stopor slow the leak, the operator simply pulls and holds the cords pullknob 12A, B, or C all the way out and slides the sliding cord-lock 13,against the flush handle 11, or against the tanks side wall. This locksthe cord 19, and forces the flapper zapper 17, against the flapper valve16. It then stands to reason that with the flapper zapper 17, addingadditional pressure along with the normal tank's water height pressureagainst the flapper valve 16, the leak will surly slow or completelystop. This does not mean that the leaky and worn-out flapper valve 16,shouldn't be replaced, and the sooner, the better.

An inherent operation this device offers right on the toilet tank 39, isbeing able to stop the incoming water supply without having to rely onthe standard plumber's shut-off valve in case of an emergency. In manycases it is hard to get to and at times it is seized (stuck open) andcannot be closed. Pulling on the cord's pull-knob 12A, B, or C andlocking it in place with the sliding cord-lock 13, will lift the float21, on the water fill valve 22 which stops water flow to tank 39, andforces flapper zapper 17, to close flapper valve 16, which stops waterflow to the toilet bowl.

Another inherent operation this device does automatically is that itresets the flapper zapper 17, each time the toilet is flushed if cord 19is in a pushed-in or reset position. Flushing the toilet lifts theflapper valve 16, which forces the flapper zapper 17 back into a normalreset position. Most importantly, with either the cord at flush handle11, or routed over the side of the toilet tank 39, operations remain thesame.

SCOPE

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cord configured tobe pulled by the operator outside of a toilet tank that will stop waterflow to the toilet tank and flow to the toilet bowl, allowing a fullflush or a partial flush so that water conservation can be achieved.

In addition, extreme simplicity and practicality is the essence of thisinvention. It is another object and advantage of the invention toprovide a control device which is useful both in new equipment and inretrofitting existing toilet structures so that a reliable and economiccontrol device can be readily achieved in existing standard toilets.

It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a devicewhich is economic of construction, reliable in operation, easy tounderstand, and easily installed so that the water conservationadvantages of the device can be widely enjoyed. Furthermore, the devicehas additional advantages in that;

-   -   it permits a means to ease toilet bowl cleaning by allowing the        operator to empty the toilet bowl by just pulling the cord's        pull knob after the bowl empties;    -   it permits a means of preventing a toilet bowl overflow by        allowing the operator to stop the flow of water to the toilet        tank and water flow to the toilet bowl by pulling a cord that is        routed to the outside of the toilet, either at the flush handle        or on the side of the toilet tank;    -   it allows an operator a means to slow or stop a flapper valve        leak simply by pulling and locking the cord with a novel sliding        cord-lock 13 stationed on the cord, thus allowing additional        pressure against the flapper valve which slows or stops the        leak;    -   It permits the operator to have easy finger-tip access to a        means of stopping water flow to the toilet in case of an        emergency right on the toilet tank. Having to locate and then        trying to close the plumbing's water stop valve can be very        annoying;    -   by pushing in or resetting the cord, a remarkable inherent        result takes place. No matter which of the above operations it        performs, the next flush resets the flapper zapper away from the        flapper valve, thus not interfering with the next flush or        operation picked by the operator.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of this invention,its' operation advantages and the specific objects attainted by itsuses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodimentsof the invention.

1. A finger-tip toilet flush interrupting device able to stop water flowto and from a toilet tank simultaneously, in combination with an upperwater holding tank having a float controlled water stop valve, a valveseat situated in the lower portion thereof, connective to a waterdischarge port operably connected to a lower waste receiving bowl, aflapper valve operably situated on said valve seat, adapted to be liftedoff a sufficient distance to become buoyant and thereby become fullyopen and pass all water held in the tank into the water discharge portand into the bowl for the complete flush, an overflow pipe situatedproximate the valve seat, and a main flush handle and lever pivotallyattached to the tank and operably connected to the flapper valve, aflexible cord capable of being selectively utilized for temporaryinterruption of the refilling process of a toilet tank and halting ofwater going into the toilet bowl, wherein said flexible cord is attachedto a flapper zapper on one end, which primarily closes the flappervalve, and is threaded up to a diverter attached to the overflow pipeand then routed through an unrestricted orifice located on the waterstop valve float.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The device of claim 1wherein said flexible cord, having a limiting travel stop attached toit, is threaded through an unrestricted orifice on the main flush handleto expose that end of said flexible cord.
 5. The device of claim 4,further including a pull knob or ring at the exposed end of saidflexible cord and a sliding cord-lock to hold the flexible cord in apulled or activated position when necessary.
 6. A method for operating afinger-tip toilet interruption device having, in combination with anupper water holding tank having a float controlled water stop valve, avalve seat situated in the lower portion thereof, connective to a waterdischarge port operably connected to a lower waste receiving bowl, aflapper valve operably situated on said valve seat, adapted to be liftedoff a sufficient distance to become buoyant and thereby become fullyopen and pass all water held in the tank into the water discharge portand into the bowl for the complete flush, an overflow pipe situatedproximate the valve seat, and a main flush handle and lever pivotallyattached to the tank and operably connected to the flapper valve, aflexible cord capable of being selectively utilized for temporaryinterruption of the refilling process of a toilet tank and halting ofwater going into the toilet bowl, wherein said flexible cord is attachedto a flapper zapper on one end, which primarily closes the flappervalve, and is threaded up to a diverter attached to the overflow pipeand then routed through an unrestricted orifice located on the waterstop valve float, said method including after flushing the toilet anoperator can initiating a water saving partial flush, emptying thetoilet bowl for cleaning, or both by pulling the cord's pull knob andmomentarily resetting or pushing the cord back in for when the nextoperation takes place.
 7. A method for operating a finger-tip toiletflush interrupting device having, in combination with an upper waterholding tank having a float controlled water stop valve, a valve seatsituated in the lower portion thereof, connective to a water dischargeport operably connected to a lower waste receiving bowl, a flapper valveoperably situated on said valve seat, adapted to be lifted off asufficient distance to become buoyant and thereby become fully open andpass all water held in the tank into the water discharge port and intothe bowl for the complete flush, an overflow pipe situated proximate thevalve seat, and a main flush handle and lever pivotally attached to thetank and operably connected to the flapper valve, a flexible cordcapable of being selectively utilized for temporary interruption of therefilling process of a toilet tank and halting of water going into thetoilet bowl, wherein said flexible cord is attached to a flapper zapperon one end, which primarily closes the flapper valve, and is threaded upto a diverter attached to the overflow pipe and then routed through anunrestricted orifice located on the water stop valve float, said methodincluding after flushing the toilet preventing a toilet bowl overflow,slowing or stopping the flapper valve from leaking, or both by pullingthe cord's pull knob and sliding the cord-lock while holding the cordout.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible cord, ha limitedtravel stop attached to it, is routed out between a shimmed tank walland tank lid.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the next flushautomatically resets the flapper zapper.